The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) is inviting renewable energy researchers to showcase the latest developments in wind power at its yearly wind energy academic conference WindAc Africa.

To be hosted from October 11 to 13 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the fifth edition of WindAc Africa recognises the pivotal role that wind energy research and technology development plays in the renewable energy sector, as it leads the way for advancement and progress, which is especially essential at a time when South Africa is looking to renewables to meet the growing demand for clean energy supply.

WindAc Africa offers a special programme for high potential young people from universities across the country, and hopes to welcome 40 sponsored students at this year’s event.

SAWEA CEO Niveshen Govender says WindAc Africa presents the “perfect opportunity” for researchers to showcase their work and reflect on the current state of the energy landscape and the industry’s readiness to transform and move towards a just energy transition.

The renewable energy sector looks to the academic community to unpack and analyse investment capital, skills and land availability, grid access, operational excellence, and investment in local supply chain development – all of which play a critical role in ensuring that the industry will successfully deliver.

As such, the conference works to clearly establish a road towards facilitating an integrated approach to research in achieving a successful power transition towards a greater share of renewables. This endeavour is outlined in South Africa’s energy roadmap and has been prioritised by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Ministers that serve on the Energy Crisis Committee.

The conference brings together key stakeholders including professionals, policymakers, academics, government representatives and civil society.

It aims to facilitate strengthened partnerships for the on-the-ground implementation of renewable energy projects, to influence energy policy, and provide a framework to aid strategic decision-making.

As a collaborative networking environment, dialogue at WindAc Africa is stimulated between experienced researchers, motivated students and members of the wind industry.

Historically, attendees from South Africa, the US, the UK, Denmark, Germany and France, and students from leading South African universities, have participated. Speakers and presenters are judiciously selected to ensure the best content will drive the conversation, while the programme will be based on papers selected through rigorous peer review and final selection by a scientific advisory panel.

This year’s programme will cover technical, socioeconomic, policy, and environmental aspects of the wind industry, emphasising academic interaction across disciplines.

Abstracts may be submitted through the WindAc Africa website portal. The proposed topics of interest include, but are not limited to, wind as a resource, wind turbine operation (operation and maintenance), grid integration, wind power and environment (environmental planning and management), wind turbine technology (embedded and utility scale) and wind energy economics and finance.

The topics also include energy policy, wind for communities, renewable energy independent power producers, battery storage, the hydrogen economy and new emerging markets in an African context.